"The world has been taken over
by the Matrix, and is now being run by an Artificial Intelligence
[AI].... Humans are living in a computer-generated dream world...
never realizing that they are slaves of an evil system.... A few rebel
humans discover the horror of the Matrix. They believe that computer
programmer Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), who by night is a computer
hacker nicknamed Neo, is 'the One,' who according to prophesy,
will save the world from cyber-slavery."1

"The Matrix is a shamanic journey in dramatized form....
[Humans] were put into a deep sleep, and a collective dream was
engendered to keep them tractable and docile, like babies in their
cribs, while their vital life force was sucked from them. Humans are
bred and raised directly into these incubators, and fed intravenously
with the liquefied remains of the dead. This is pure
occultism....

"Within the Matrix, however, there exist certain
possibilities for escape, and this is where Morpheus and his crew come
in. They are the 'awakened' ones... who have made it out of the
computer-simulated fantasy grid and liberated their bodies from the
energy farms in 'the real world' ... [They are] able to enter the
Matrix--the dream world -- at will, and function therein with
superhuman potential....

"Any knowledge... can simply be downloaded, on the spot,
directly into their consciousness by computer."2

Confused by the Matrix? I was. I still don't fully understand its
many-layered messages. And since the Matrix opens the door to a wide variety
of personal perceptions and interpretations, you may not agree with my
conclusions. But the movie's allure among Christians demands a response, and
the concerns shared by troubled parents call for answers. Here are some of
their comments:

"I have been amazed--appalled, really--at the number of articles quoting
Christian ministers as saying things like, 'This movie is better than any
sermon I could give!'"

"...they are all
just dying to see that movie."

"When the first movie came out several years ago I was encouraged to find
several overt biblical references in the storyline, including a reference to
the story's main character, NEO as 'my own personal Jesus Christ'.
Unfortunately, as I watched and then re-watched this story unfold, I also
found repeated references to Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. It was
enough to convince me that what I was watching was most likely a covert
advertisement for some new, and as yet, unannounced BLENDED world religion
of tolerance.... An entire generation of kids is being caught up in this
craze.... Might be worth a closer look."

"Eastern philosophies share much in common with Gnosticism,
but the Gnostic worldview is a much more accurate description of the Matrix
series.... And like the Gnosticism of the early church, it seems to easily
deceive undiscerning Christians into equating its themes with biblical
Christianity. Its creators mix and match different strands of thought, but
they and their (knowledgeable) fans know its main thrust is Gnostic."

We may never answer all the concerns raised by Matrix 1 and
Matrix Reloaded, but one thing is certain: The three-part series does more
than entertain.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Cooke couldn't get enough of Matrix 1. He decorated
his bedroom with a poster of Neo, the savior-hero of this popular myth. He
had a long black trench coat that helped him identify with his favorite idol.
And, according to an article titled, "Matrix films blamed for series of murders
by obsessed fans," he bought a gun like the one Neo used. Author Duncan Campbell
tells what happened next:

"In February, he shot his father and mother in the
basement of their home and then called the police. His lawyers say he
believed that he was living inside the Matrix.... 'He's just
obsessed with it.'... "The Matrix seems to have spawned other
imitators....In San Francisco in 2000, Vadim Mieseges, 27, killed his
landlady.... The police who interviewed him said he had made 'reference to
being sucked into the Matrix'.
"The young man accused of taking part in last year's sniper attacks
in the Washington area has also cited the film. 'Free yourself of the Matrix,'
wrote Lee Boyd Malvo, 18, one of the two defendants, in his jail cell." 3

Chris, a Canadian youth leader, painted a far
more positive picture of the movie's tension between reality and fantasy:

"I first got onto [the
Matrix] when our apologetics teacher at Bible school sent people to the
theatre to watch it and write a review of it....It has some strong Christian
parallels for sure. I would not go so far as to say it is a 'Christian'
movie, but it is certainly something we can use to relate the good news of
Christ....

"The goal of new age is to enter a state of nothingness in order to connect
to the Divine consciousness... Matrix, on the other hand, is not about entering
into a nothingness but finding true reality."4

Chris is wrong about the New Age. Though built on
the foundation of Eastern religions and earth-centered spirituality, it
downplayed Nirvana's nothingness and established a multi-faceted belief system
far more flexible and appealing to Western hedonism. But Neo's search for
wisdom to save the "awakened" rebels of Zion could never lead to "true
reality." Instead, the ingenious plot twists truth into an enticing lie that
mimics the New Age and matches Gnosticism.

Gnosticism (from gnosis, the Greek word for knowledge) is an
"umbrella word" for all sorts of occult philosophies. The early Gnostics
sought salvation and supernatural power through esoteric knowledge -- a secret
gnosis, not just ordinary knowledge. They saw the rest of the world
held captive to evil, while they were the enlightened remnant who found
spiritual freedom and transcendence in secret wisdom.

Hidden knowledge is key to the Matrix as well. Ignorance and illusion has,
like a blanket, covered the minds of the people and kept them in bondage. Only
the secrets revealed first to Morpheus, Trinity and other rebels, then to the
reluctant Neo, can free them from the evil machines and the programs that rule
them. It's mind over matter, for spiritual insights alter physical
realities. Or so it seems.

The main source of secret wisdom is an elderly female oracle. As in ancient
Greek myths, where the oracle functioned as a spiritual medium for the gods,
her answers were ambiguous. But Morpheus had no doubts about her authenticity.
"She can help you find the path," he told Neo in Matrix 1.
Moments later, Neo stood in her reception room, where some of her young
students were practicing their magic. A blue-eyed boy with shaved head and a
Buddhist-like robe told him how to bend spoons with his mind. Neo succeeded on
his first try.

"Everything the oracle has told me has come true," said
Trinity.

In Matrix 2, a wise old Keymaker has also found a
source of universal knowledge. Toward the end of the movie, someone asks him, "How do you
know all this?"

"I know because I know," he answers. "It is my purpose."

That's all. No explanation needed. And in the context of the movie, it
makes some sense. A digital brain is, in effect, programming everything within
the Matrix according to the will and purpose of its masters.

But if you look beyond the material facade and see the movie as an allegory
with deeper meanings (which most fans do), you begin to unwrap more
subtle suggestions. Many have done just that -- and found all kinds of
spiritual implications. The key is perception. Just as lifelike
computer-generated pornography stirs lust as readily as actual porn
photographs, so the perceived messages plant impressions in the brain as
effective -- or more so -- than the dry facts.

The Keymaker's comment is significant, for it touches on Gnostic fatalism.
And since his words fits the movie's context, the message is heard again and
again:

"We do only what we're meant
to do."

Causality, action, reaction,
cause and effect.... Choice is an illusion...."

"Whatever happens happens for
a reason."

"All that matters is
feeling. Beneath our poised appearance, we are completely out of
control.... Causality: we are forever slaves to it."

The last of the above quotes points to another
Gnostic belief that fits both the Matrix and today's culture. Feel-good
experiences become more important than reality. The human slaves in the Matrix
are pacified through a virtual reality of feel-good experiences that hide
their wretched condition. (As a traitorous rebel acknowledged, "Ignorance is
bliss!") Similarly, the emotional thrills of just watching the movie may hide
some of the consequences of mental immersion into its myths and immorality.

In his article, "Gnosticism Reborn: The Matrix as Shamanic Journey," Jake
Horsley writes,

The Matrix is serving the oldest and most respectable,
most revered, cause of art: that of enlightening the populace, by means
both profound and ridiculous, to the Truth. Perhaps one in a thousand of
those who see the movie will recognize or even notice its Gnostic tenets;
but regardless of this, everyone who sees the film has effectively been
exposed to them.... In the case of The Matrix, the work is simply
too inspired and effective (and affecting) to be anything but a work of
revelation...."2

These roots reach back to the cradle of civilization.
The Wordsworth Dictionary of the Occult tells us that "Gnosticism...first
emerged in the Babylonian lowlands...." It involves "the spontaneous expression
ofreligious feeling. It sustains and opposes official
religion at one and the same time, just as reality is driven hither and thither
by poetry or dreams."5

Sounds confusing,
doesn't it? Gnosticism, like the Matrix, defies logic and simple explanations.
But it appeals to human feelings, therefore, people accept it even if they
can't define it. That's what happened back in the 1st century. Blending
Christian words with occult teaching, the early Gnostics deceived many
Christians. To counter Gnostic distortions of the gospel, the apostle Paul
wrote the familiar letter to the Colossian church. Today, this unholy mix is
once again seeping into churches -- largely through popular entertainment.

Since "religious feeling" matters far more than facts, the movie is spotted
with hints and allusions to various beliefs. Be they Buddhist, Hindu, New Age
or "Christian", most viewers can find familiar reference points. These lower
their resistance and help make even disturbing scenes palatable.

As Christian parents, we need to understand the mind-changing suggestions that plant indelible
images in unguarded minds. Remember, the feelings stirred by popular entertainment
build
memories that often seem more real than reality itself. If we dismiss
these powerful mental stimuli, we can't help our children and friends resist
these seductions:

1. Blood, brutality,
violence and destruction. An abundance of studies show that visual
or imagined violence can lead to actual violence. People cannot fill their
minds with wanton brutality without mental and moral consequences. One of
those consequences is an insatiable lust for an ever-growing intensity of
thrills. As the virtual violence of the past becomes boring, only a higher
level of shock and brutality can satisfy the craving.

The steps toward moral depravity include desensitization
to the nature of evil and justification of sin. Both play a part in
the mental process of a Matrix fan -- as in most popular movies -- who immerses
himself in the Gnostic myth and identifies with immoral heroes. [See
The
Power of Suggestion]

"Everyone
deals falsely. ... Were they ashamed when they had committed
abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did
they know how to blush." Jeremiah 6:13-15

2. Occult empowerment.
While Bible-based names add an illusion of truth to the Matrix
myth, the supernatural powers and beliefs of the main character is anything
but Christian. Neo is a Kung Fu expert with power to zoom through the air like
Superman. His death (in Matrix 1) at the hand of an enemy agent with
supernatural power took place in the dream world of the
Matrix. And, according to the convoluted context of the movie (Matrix 1), he
also died back in Zion, the real world. There -- like the prince who
kissed Sleeping Beauty -- Trinity kissed the mouth of his dead body, and he
awakened from death -- endowed with the superpowers demonstrated in Matrix
2.

The old, familiar Power Rangers may seem
innocuous by comparison, but they illustrate a genuine problem with virtual
violence and high-speed martial arts. Children around the world would watch
their favorite television show, then imitate their heroes by kicking sofas,
siblings, dogs and moms. In other words, what their minds had imagined, their
bodies demonstrated in the "real world."

The same principle applies to Neo's attempts to
save the wounded Trinity whose death had been foretold. But Neo saves her and
extracts the bullet. She seems to be dying in spite of his efforts, so the
grieving Neo reaches into her chest to massage her heart.

Since this, too, takes place in the dream world
of programmed illusions, Neo's hand and Trinity's body are shown as shadowy,
translucent images. (The operation reminded me of the blood-less psychic
surgeries performed by occultist or shamans.) Trinity revives, and we see the
physical change in the real world as well as in the Matrix. In other
words, what Neo does in the dream world becomes effective in the
real world. Shifting back and forth between the two worlds, the screen
documents the absolute correspondence between them.

But, you might argue, such correspondence fits
the story. Yes, but viewers are also familiarized with a most important occult
principle. Watching that scene, I remembered the words of Peter,
the former occultist who explained the timeless nature of today's popular
occultism. The slogan, "As
above, so below," assures occultists today -- as it did in secret societies
centuries ago -- that the magical feats they imagine in their minds will be
actualized in the physical world.

"...the
mystery of lawlessness is already at work... The coming of the
lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power,
signs, and lying wonders, ﻿and with all unrighteous deception among
those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth,
that they might be saved. ﻿And for this reason God will send them
strong delusion, that they should believe the lie...."
2
Thessalonians
2:7-11

3. Ritual sex.
Thirty minutes into Matrix Reloaded, the human rebels gather in their
cavernous underground home for a pep talk from Morpheus, their spiritual
leader. Facing overwhelming odds, they are told to pray and hope. Morpheus
(some see him as a modern "John the Baptist") ends his message with a rousing
challenge to remember their home and identity: "This is Zion and we are not
afraid!"

The crowd responds with an orgy of drumming,
jumping, colliding bodies and "freak" or "dirty dancing." This sensual "rave"
ritual reminded me of Israel's shameless celebration of the golden calf in the
Sinai wilderness. God had called Moses away for 40 days to receive the Ten
Commandments and, in his absence, the people chose to trust an idol rather
than the almighty God who had freed them from slavery.

Pre-warned, I had closed my eyes during most of
this scene. When I finally looked up, I glimpsed the sweating, swaying, partly
unclothed bodies of the mob and, retreating into the distance, the bodies of
Neo and Trinity encapsulated in what looked like an oval altar.

Suchsexual orgies have
been practiced in most of the major pagan civilizations
in the past. Now, in our postmodern, post-Christian era, the custom is
being revived [See A Twist of
Faith, chapter 7] -- fueled, in part, by
today's revival of the more sensual forms of Gnosticism. Look at one of its
many sects, the Barbelo-Gnostics, who were identified with Sophia (Greek word for wisdom).
In her article, "The Uncomplicated Gnostic," Renee Ramsey writes:

"Pleasure and sensuality were accepted as normal and natural. Their
practices included what might be termed (today) as Tantric
and as Magicka Sexualis."6

It sounds like a Biblical message
about ancient Babylon, doesn't
it? Listen to His warning addressed to that notorious birthplace of
Gnosticism:

"Your shame will be seen.... you who are given to pleasures.9They
shall come upon you... because of the multitude of your sorceries....
For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, ‘No one sees me.’
Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you....
Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators
stand up and save you from what shall come upon you." Isaiah 47:3-13

The Biblical description of Mystery Babylon shows how the evils of the
ancient Babylonian civilization would be multiplied in end times. Notice
"the mother of harlots" riding on the beast who will return from some kind
of death to rule the world as the Antichrist:

"The woman was
arrayed in purple and scarlet... having in her hand a golden cup full
of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a
name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, the MOTHER OF HARLOTS and of
the abominations of the earth. ﻿I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the
saints....

"I will tell you the mystery of the woman
and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten
horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not,
and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition.
And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in
the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast
that was, and is not, and yet is."
Revelation 17:4-8

4. Gnostic mysticism and
Counterfeit Christianity. Do you wonder why Christians would see the
Matrix -- with its immoral
images and occult suggestions -- as Messianic or Christian?

The main reason is simple.
We are easily deceived
and we don't know God's Word well enough to discern subtle distortions. Most
of the other points have been mentioned:

In
Matrix 1, Neo died and was resurrected. "Just like Christ," say his fans.
But Neo's fascination with Gnostic, New Age and Buddhist spiritual forces
puts him in the opposite camp. As you saw earlier, even the dreaded
antichrist will return to life after a fatal wound. In contrast, Jesus
Christ became our Savior because He, our holy and perfect Lord and King,
took the punishment for our sins. To equate His death on the cross with
Neo's death makes a mockery of God's plan for our salvation.

Neo is "the One",
the expected savior
of the enslaved remnant of humanity. His victory had been prophesied, and
Zion's poor and lame flock to his door -- apparently for miraculous help and
cures.

Morpheus has been called "a father figure" or modern "John the
Baptist." "Morpheus, you are more the leader to us, you're a
father," said a crew member on the
hover craft,
Nebuchadnezzar.

Words such as Zion, Trinity, Nebuchadnezzar and prayer suggest Biblical
connections. We forget that, not long ago, the main occult systems of
the Western world (alchemy, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry and the Hermetic
Order of the Golden Dawn) all used
Biblical words in their myths and philosophies. Like the serpent in the
garden, they just twisted them into lies that denied God's truth.

"All religious knowledge develops... from an ancient primitive
origin,"5 wrote
Andre Nataf in his Dictionary of the 0ccult. He was almost right. All
but Biblical Christianity can be adapted and synthesized according to the
whims of man and the "schemes of the devil".

In the Matrix, people
have found karmic Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism (includes ritual sex) and many
other spiritual expressions in addition to the mystical distortion of
Christianity. A brief scene showing an altar adorned with candles, flowers, a
traditional painting of Mary and various idols (including a seated Buddha)
honored this diversity.

But they all come together in Gnosticism. Called a "syncretistic
whirlpool," it draws and distorts all beliefs that can be adapted to its
flexible guidelines and its false visions of freedom and unity. Andre Nataf continues,

"As a sort of mystical existentialism, Gnosticism is the mother of
freedom. The Gnostic wants to proclaim himself the ally of creative
divinity. ...When men find themselves again, evil will be transcended on
earth as well as in heaven."5

Notice how the words
of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10) are used to teach the occult principle,
"As
above, so below." No wonder it fits into the occult teachings of the Hermetic
Order of the Golden Dawn, which we exposed in the article on Popular Occultism.
"Gnosticism is the philosophical foundation of hermetism,"
says Mr. Nataf. "It is instituted in thequest for the secret of the
universe...."5

Gnosticism has a plan of salvation, but its savior is not our Lord Jesus
Christ. It has its own cosmic drama, but this drama twists God's truths as
shrewdly as did Satan's message to Eve in the garden. It has its own set of
"historical" myths, but these myths explain humanity's journey toward saving
knowledge, not toward saving faith.

From the beginning, Gnosticism has taught dualism (two opposing
principles - good/evil, dark/light. See the yin-yang).
But some of its countless variations have embraced a form of monism (one God)
as well. But its unique monism is not simply a counterfeit of the Biblical
God. Instead, its spiritual government looks more like Tolkien's pantheon of co-creating,
co-ruling gods which are governed by a higher, more distant and less personal
god.

One of its goals is restoration of "unity" and separation from "evil."
Historically, its teaching focused on separation between an evil body and a
potentially good soul and spirit. But that meant renunciation of lustful
activities -- a discipline with little appeal in a world driven by feel-good
experiences. Eventually, most Gnostics traded asceticism for indulgence.
Synthesizing some of the teachings of Tantric Buddhism, it embraced all kinds
of sexual experiences. Thus carnal as well as spiritual
knowledge found a place in the Gnostic quest for higher wisdom, magical
prowess, secret knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.

This quest may be the main answer to the Matrix puzzle. Those who "get it"
become part of an elite group of initiates into the secret knowledge that has
intrigued seekers since the beginning of time. "'You will not
surely die,' the serpent assured Eve,

"For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes
will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' ﻿So when
the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree
desirable to make one
wise, she took of its fruit and ate." Genesis
3:4-6

The serpent promised life, but his lie led to
spiritual death. So do all the counterfeit gospels and tempting illusions that
tantalize today's world.

There's only one way to salvation from bondage
to evil: faith in the redeeming work
of Jesus Christ. To those who come to Him through the cross, He offers
wisdom and knowledge that is far greater than all the counterfeit messages
of the master deceiver. For "'eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

By
His Spirit, we receive wisdom to discern the subtle lies that distort His
truth. And by His Spirit, we have the resources needed to "test all things;
hold fast what is good [and] abstain from every form of evil." For He is
more than willing to enable us.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may
your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. ﻿He who calls you is faithful, who also will do
it." 1
Thessalonians 5:21-24

"TRUTH" according to
-

The Bible

The Matrix

Gnosticism

Hope

The
confident certainty that God will accomplish all He has
promised.

(Romans
5:5; Romans 8:24-25; Romans 8:25; Hebrews 6:18-19,
10:23)

To save the human race from the evil
machines.

Based in part on the uncertain prophesy of an Oracle
believed to tap into a higher source of wisdom.

Based on esoteric revelations, complex philosophy and
personal feelings

Limited by fatalism,
the belief that most people have no control over what happens to them.
Fate (forces beyond their control) determines what happens. But the
enlightened seek salvation through gnosis (
esotericknowledge).

2. David made
it Israel's capital city and Solomon built its first temple according to
God's revealed plan.

3. Because of Israel's
gross idolatry and disobedience, God allowed Babylon's ruler,Nebuchadnezzar, to destroy Jerusalem and exile His
people.

4. The
prophesied Millennial City.

5. Heavenly
Jerusalem

The cavernous
underground home and hiding place of the awakened ones - the human rebels.

The Gnostic gospel, First Apocalypse of James, warns
that Jerusalem (Zion) is a dwelling place of a great number of 'archons'
or evil angels. Jerusalem is stigmatized as the city which 'gives the cup
of bitterness to the sons of light.'"

Another gnostic site,
"Sophia - Zoe Gnosticism," brings this lie: "From Adam's union with this demoness...
sprang Asmodeus and innumerable demons that still plague mankind.
Many generations later, Lilith and Naamah came to Solomon's judgement
seat, disguised as harlots of Jerusalem. Lilith typifies the Anath-worshipping
Canaanite women, who were permitted pre-nuptial promiscuity."7

Nebu-chad-nezzar

The Babylonian ruler who conquered
ancient Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, demolished Solomon's temple, and
brought the people into captivity in Babylon. His strange prophetic dreams
were interpreted by Daniel.
(Daniel 4:1-37)

A ship of refuge for the rebels, those humans
who have knowledge concerning the evil Matrix

"The gnosis religion of Babylon was called Mystery, because
it contained 'secret knowledge' disclosed only through: "blood-oaths,
oaths.. sexual rituals, and meanings of coded riddles." This
secret knowledge is alleged to be identical to that 'gnosis-knowledge'
taught to Eve by the serpent... the 'good-god.'...Eve is the whore
goddess and high-priestess."8

Note: Not his
real name. For his safety, we are calling him Peter. If you have any questions,
you can write to him at this email address: askpeter_bba@yahoo.com

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, but have been
very lukewarm in your spiritual walk with Him, you need to immediately ask
Him for forgiveness and for renewal. He will instantly forgive you, and fill
your heart with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Then, you need to begin a daily
walk of prayer and personal Bible Study.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, but have come to realize
His reality and the approaching End of the Age, and want to accept His FREE
Gift of Eternal Life, you can also do so now, in the privacy of your home.
Once you accept Him as Savior, you are spiritually Born Again, and are as
assured of Heaven as if you were already there. Then, you can rest assured
that the Kingdom of Antichrist will not touch you spiritually.

If you would like to become Born Again, turn to our Salvation
Page now.